South Carolina extends Spurrier through 2017

Columbia, SC (Sports Network) - South Carolina extended the contract of head
football coach Steve Spurrier by two years on Monday following a second
consecutive season of double-digit wins.

Spurrier is now signed through 2017 following the agreement. The 7-time SEC
Coach of the Year guided the Gamecocks to a 10-2 regular season in 2012, one
year after the program set a school record for victories with an 11-2 mark
that included a win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.

The Gamecocks are presently ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 poll and finished
last season with a No. 9 national ranking. South Carolina had never achieved
back-to-back seasons with 10 or more wins prior to this year.

"We have had another tremendous year on the football field, winning 10 games
for the second straight year and for just the third time in school history,"
said Athletics Director Ray Tanner. "Our student-athletes are not only having
tremendous success on the field, but also in the classroom. Coach Spurrier
continues to take our program to heights never before reached at South
Carolina, as is well-deserving of this contract extension."

Spurrier, who came to South Carolina in 2005 following a failed two-year stint
as head coach of the Washington Redskins, has amassed a 65-37 record in eight
seasons and led the Gamecocks to five consecutive bowl games. The 67-year-old
has been named SEC Coach of the Year twice during his tenure at the
university, receiving the award in 2005 and again in 2010.

The Gamecocks have also gone a combined 11-1 against rivals Florida, Georgia,
Clemson and Tennessee over the past three seasons under the "Head Ball Coach."

"I appreciate the confidence the Board, the President and the Athletics
Director have shown by extending my contract," said Spurrier. "We have
achieved a lot of goals but have not yet won the SEC Championship. Hopefully,
we can do that within the next couple of years."

Spurrier did win six SEC titles during a highly successful 12-year reign at
his alma mater, Florida, from 1990-2001. His Gators also captured the 1996
National Championship with a 12-1 campaign that season.

South Carolina will conclude the season on New Year's Day with a matchup
against Michigan in the Outback Bowl in Tampa.